SAMPLE MANUAL HANDLING CODE OF PRACTICE Company: Workplace Address: Introduction This code sets out requirements that this company will follow for the reduction of MSIs due to manual handling at this workplace. Administering the Code of Practice Code of Practice Administrator: Phone No.: Email: The code of practice administrator is authorized by the employer to manage the manual handling code of practice and to ensure employees are trained in the following as required: Musculoskeletal injury (MSI) prevention How to properly move to avoid bending and twisting (proper body mechanics) Appropriate warm-up and stretch exercises The benefits of job rotation Storage techniques to avoid poor posture Two-person lifts How to safely use manual handling equipment that may be provided (forklift, pallet jack, scissor cart, etc.) The workplace s internal system for incident reporting Employees are responsible to report all manual handling health and safety issues to their supervisor and then, if necessary, to the code of practice administrator as per the company s incident reporting process. All employees must cooperate with the administrator in the performance of the administrator s duties. Initially complete: Yearly evaluation Step 1 - Hazard Identification Step 2 - Risk Identification Step 3 - Implementation of controls (include any procedures or other relevant documents with this Step - Evaluation Step 5 - Conclusion 1
Step 1 - Hazard Identification Administrator: Complete this section for EVERY applicable task Date of assessment: Person(s) at risk: Task name/description: Actual Objective Incident frequency Lost time Injury analysis All incidents Number of incidents Employee or supervisor concerns as reported through the incident reporting process Body Discomfort Survey has been administered List of concerns: Note: Any Discomfort Survey result over 5 should be considered a high risk for injury. Body Part Neck Wrist Wrist Back Average Discomfort Survey Score Actual Objective Summary of results: 2
Step 2 - Risk Identification Step 3 - Implementation of Controls Risk Factors Weight >25 kg 1 Engineering Controls (The first controls to be implemented) Decrease the load/weight Administrative Controls Two-person lift 2 Emergency procedures (When Engineering and Administrative Controls fail or cannot be used) Lift Frequency (between 2 and 8 hours per day) 1 lift/5 min = 21 kg 1 lift/min = 18.75 kg 2 lifts/min = 16.25 kg lifts/min = 11.25 kg 6 lifts/min = 6.75 kg Initial Push/Pull >320 N Appropriate wheels and bearings Reduce surface friction Decrease the load/weight Modify the equipment (optimize handle position, etc.) Preventive maintenance program for equipment (wheels and bearings, etc.) Delay the load into smaller parts to manually lift and carry in accordance with the weight restriction of this code of practice. 1 To lower the risk for people at work, particularly those with less physical capability, the recommended limit for mass should not exceed 15 kg. This will increase the level of health protection afforded to the working population by up to 95%. (ISO 11228-1) 2 As an approximate guide, the capability of a two-person team is 2/3 the sum of their individual capabilities and, for a three-person team, the capability is half the sum of their individual capabilities. (ISO 11228-1) 3
Step 2 - Risk Identification Step 3 - Implementation of Controls Risk Factors Engineering Controls (The first controls to be implemented) Administrative Controls Emergency procedures (When Engineering and Administrative Controls fail or cannot be used) >10,000 kg lifted per 8 hour period Decrease the load/weight Working below mid-thigh Raise the start/end position of the load Twisting Relocate the load to encourage foot movement Working above shoulder height Lower the start/end position of the load
Step - Evaluation Complete this evaluation (at least annually) for EVERY task Administrator/evaluator: Date of assessment: Person(s) at risk: Task name/description: Incident frequency Lost time Initial Current Objective Objective met (Yes/No) Injury analysis All incidents Number of incidents Initial employee or supervisor concerns as reported through the incident reporting process Current employee or supervisor concerns as reported through the incident reporting process Body Discomfort Survey has been administered List of concerns: List of concerns: Note: Any Discomfort Survey result over 5 should be considered a high risk for injury. Body Part Neck Wrist Wrist Back Average Discomfort Survey Score Initial Current Objective Summary of results: 5
Step 5 - Conclusion If the results are satisfactory: Monitor the task. At minimum, re-administer Body Discomfort Survey annually. If the results are not satisfactory, these steps should be followed: Comments 1 Have control been implemented? Yes No Proceed to No. 2 Implement control 2 Are control operating effectively? Yes No Proceed to No. Proceed to No. 3 3 Can control or measures be modified? Yes No Modify control measures if necessary Proceed to No. Identify new available to be applied and implemented Details: 5 Re-evaluate new Go to Evaluation 6